As part of efforts to boost food security and promote local sourcing of raw materials for industrial use, the Ogun State Government has promised to provide technical know-how support for members of the More Agro Multipurpose Co-operative Society, Ijebu-Ode, who were currently working on planting Sorghum on 150 hectares of land at Idanke, Apoje Farm Settlement in Ijebu-Igbo area of the State.

          Recalled that Ogun State had joined the league of Sorghum-producing States last year when the Co-operative Society announced it had successfully planted the cereal grain plant for the first time in the State, a breakthrough because Sorghum was seen in the past as a product which thrives only in the northern Savannah region.

          The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olu. Ola. Aikulola gave the assurance during a joint visit to the Farm Settlement with the State Coordinator, Raw Materials Development and Research Council (RMDRC), Mr. Kayode Abiola, assuring that government would continue to provide the technical know-how that would aid the farmers in exceeding their past harvest.

          Represented by the Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin, Aikulola assured the farmers of adequate security, adding that the State was also willing to link the society with members of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) who may be interested in entering into an offtake arrangement with them.

          "The Ogun State government, under the leadership of Governor Dapo Abiodun is interested in projects like this which will provide food for our people, enhance food security and also boost the State's industrial growth. We look forward to working with them and supporting them to succeed", Aikulola said.

          The Permanent Secretary, who lauded the Society for its efforts called on more farmers to consider planting crops which are needed by industries in the State, explaining that doing so, would be mutually profitable for them while also helping the industries to profitably and sustainably produce their products.

          Also speaking, Mr. Abiola said the Council was willing to provide technical support to the Cooperative Society farmers which would add value to the Sorghum and also boost local content development of the State.

          Addressing the visiting team, the Chairman, More Agro Cooperative Society, Ijebu-Ode, Mr. Kolawole Adebukunla said the Society through its off-taking agreement with the Nigerian Breweries Plc, last year, planted Sorghum on 130 hectares of land at the Apoje Farm Settlement. 

          Adebukunla stated that the Society was focused on building on the lessons learnt from its planting experience in 2022, calling for more of government’s interventions on the availability of tractors, technical support and provision of other beneficial tools.